Redesign your life with 10 essential steps to success

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The new year has arrived and many people are making resolutions, hoping for a fresh start. Successful business entrepreneur and author Robert D. Kintigh offers to redesign your life with 10 essential steps to success in his newly released book, “The Lies We Tell Ourselves.” His proposed plan will change your habits, adjust your thinking and set into motion a life-changing shift toward prosperity and personal achievement. In trying to determine under what genre this book fell, I considered a few. Business/economics is marked on the back cover, but is it? Or is it self-help, motivational, inspirational, or simply an authentic sharing of the author’s personal truths? In fact it includes all of these. Kintigh details the guiding principles he believes will help you “discover the greatness within you.” Residing in the small town of Cool located 50 miles from Lake Tahoe, Kintigh reflected on his own life and offers his personal experiences as real-life examples. He targets those who “want to be better and achieve more” and believes being poor is a choice. Readers must engage in reflections of their own and embark upon a journey of self-assessment in order to move forward. Kintigh believes we are all capable of achieving excellence regardless of humble beginnings or unfortunate circumstances. The process begins with one simple question. “What drives you?” He refers to this as “your why in life”. He brings a variety of subjects to the table including raising children, relationships between men and women, change, anger, leadership, alcoholism and being overweight, to name a few. He talks about parental influence, marriage and divorce, responsibility and blame. Readers who seek out casual fare for their reading enjoyment will find “The Lies We Tell Ourselves” too difficult. “I’m doing just fine, thank you!” I can hear them saying as they run toward the fiction aisle. But if you are searching for personal growth answers Kintigh’s book could inspire you. Sentiments are grounded in common sense and based on sound principles. In a nutshell they are, “What you think, is what you get. Thoughts are powerful.” His willingness to share his own journey is refreshing.Kintigh references two other books — “The Secret” by Rhonda Byrne and “Rich Dad Poor Dad” by Robert Kiyosaki — and holds them up as examples with a similar mind-set. “The Secret” he says, “has a similar message but I have a spin on the methodology of the law of attraction … You have to believe you can do it.” Based on personal views, unique needs as well as their station in life, the reader will determine the distinctions between Kintigh’s book and others like it on the market. A recommended reading list for personal growth is offered.Embark upon an adventurous tour of self-exploration in the New Year with “The Lies We Tell Ourselves.” As Kintigh succinctly states, “It’s never too late unless you’re dead.”

Q: How do you personally definesuccess?Kintigh: There are two components to success. One aspect has to do with the way you feel. When you are successful it comes from within. The other part of it is to be able to push through even when others say it’s not possible. You must give it all it takes to reach your goal and never stop until you do. Q: You reveal that while growing up in Downey, Calif., you were in trouble a lot. To what to you attribute your rebellious spirit?Kintigh: My mom and dad split up when I was very young so I was independent at an early age. Although my mom was a great woman, as a single mother she had to work a lot. I grew up fast and was exposed to a lot. I was a worldly child and got into a lot of fights. I got beat up a lot but I survived. Q: What inspired you to write a book about truthfulness and lies?Kintigh: Because of my own experiences I learned a lot of lessons. I wanted to make a mark on the world. When I was young I realized that I was not very truthful. I knew that the dishonesty I had with myself was wearing me down and holding me back. I wanted to bring attention to this issue since I noticed others were struggling with the same problem. Q: At what point in your life did you recognize that you had leadership qualities? How do you think you acquired those characteristics and did you know what to do with them once your realized you had them?Kintigh: I recognized my ability to command attention beginning in the fourth grade. From that beginning through about the seventh grade I was very aware of it. I attributed my boldness to the way I grew up. The truth is, if you sit by timidly you’re not going to get anything. Once I recognized my leadership abilities I struggled with how to use those skills. It wasn’t until around the age of 24 I realized that they came with a responsibility. My primary focus turned toward helping others. Today I continue on my journey of leadership to help others attain success and be all they can be.Q: In your book you state that even as a young child you knew you wanted to be a business owner. You say everyone has a “why” in life. What is your “why”? Kintigh: I saw business ownership as a ticket to freedom and creativity. I recognized that business owners may have big problems, but their lifestyles were bigger too. As a child I had the ability to talk easily to people. I would ask them questions and saw faces light up when people spoke about their businesses. The same did not happen for those who worked at a job for someone else. I decided I wanted to be a business owner. I needed to find what was right for my life. Poverty is tough on people and I wanted more.Q: Your wrestling coach, Gordon Weineberger, was mentioned in your book several times. Why did he make such a lasting impression on you?Kintigh: He was what I wanted in a father, honest, hard working and intelligent. He was tough but fair and a talented family man. I looked to him for guidance. He filled an important missing piece in my life. I still keep in touch with him today. Q: On page 122 you say that being poor is a choice. Some may find this to be a controversial statement. Can you elaborate on this concept?Kintigh: People often fall into the trap of believing “I’m poor and that’s the way it is.” Being successful and earning money is about having an education. Education comes in many forms, not only academic, although that is one way. You are where you are in life because of limitations. Money doesn’t just flow to you; you have to learn how to make it happen. If you are tired of being poor you can change your life if you are determined enough. You must have the power and desire to change your circumstances and it begins with your thinking. Say instead, “Hey, I’m not going to be poor anymore and I’m going to find out how to make that happen, whatever it takes.” Q: Who do you think will benefit the most from your philosophy and advice? Is there a particular audience you would like to target?Kintigh: If I could target only one audience it would be the single parent. Single parenting is tough and I congratulate those who do it. I would like to see more examples of those who look to thrive rather than just survive. This book can help everyone but single moms and dads are a group I’d love to help. Q: What makes your book unique from the many self-help books and books of similar philosophies that are already on the market?Kintigh: I sacrifice myself openly where most are not willing. I don’t pad a lot; I give it to you straight. People need real world examples. I believe my open and straightforward approach is the distinction between my book and others. Q: There are 10 steps for success in your plan. Is there any one step that people struggle with more than the others?Kintigh: Visualization is the one that most people find difficult. You must visualize your goal before you can commit to achieving it. Once you see it, feel it, taste it, then it will happen.“I want to try to get through to people and reach out as far as I can. There’s nothing special about me. I’m just good at putting things simply. I want to take the tough out of people’s lives.”— Robert D. Kintigh

Gloria Sinibaldi resides part-time in South Lake Tahoe. Her short story "A MeansTo Survive" appears in "Tahoe Blues." She is a job coach, trainer and author. She contributes monthly to the business section of the Tahoe Daily Tribune. Contact her at: glorialinda16@gmail.com.